Skin Cancer Prevention Tips, Activities and Early Detection

skin cancer prevention

Over sun exposure is a main cause of skin cancer. Besides, there are different factors impacting your skin health, so you may have a high risk of skin cancer. This writing shows you more details about this common disease in modern life and the most practical skin cancer prevention tips, activities and early detection. Check out all of these parts below!

Top Skin Cancer Prevention Tips, Activities And Early Detection

According to numerous studies, by practicing sun protection, people can lower the risk of skin cancer. Researches also indicate that sun protection can reduce the development of skin cancer and the likelihood of recurrence.

Even you’ve spent a lot of time in the sunlight or you’ve developed skin cancer, it will never be too late for you to start protecting skin today.

I. Risk Factors

Identify the following factors that increase the risk of skin cancer:

– Heredity: Take precautions if you have abnormal moles on face and on the body or a family with a history of melanoma

– Tanning bed use: Notice that tanning beds using UV light can cause melanoma and increase the risk of skin cancer.

tanning bed use

Sun exposure: Just blistering sunburn can increase chances of melanoma. The risk of melanoma also doubles if you had over 5 sunburns at any age.

– Fair skin: Fair, sensitive or light skin burns more easily. Thereby if you have that skin, take care of your skin to prevent skin cancer better.

II. Skin Cancer Prevention

1. Sun Protection Practices

Wearing sunscreen, you may know this sun protection as a rule but remember to practice it in the right way. Choose a sunscreen with SPF from 15 (for face skin) to 30+ (for the body) and apply it every 90 minutes when you stay outside to prevent both UVA and UVB rays. A sunscreen including zinc oxide is recommended using as the best sunscreen; because it is a physical block against harmful UV rays.

2. Avoid Sunlamps & Tanning Salons avoid sunlamps & tanning salons

Don’t you know that these lights can emit UVA radiation from 2 to 5 times like natural sunlight. The UVA radiation, therefore, can cause premature skin aging, sunburn, even skin cancer.

In addition, UVB radiation from these tanning lights is also one of main causes of skin cancer, sunburn and contributes to skin aging.

Recommended reading: How To Slow Down Aging

3. Supplements To Try

Protect your skin from sun’s harmful rays by using sunscreens. Among these skin care products, antioxidant supplements provide a barrier against harmful effects of sun exposure. It is recommended that people can take vitamin C (1,000 mg), vitamin E (400 mg), and selenium (100 mg) per day.

Moreover, you should supply your body with more vitamin D from natural foods or supplements as a way to achieve healthier skin and prevent skin diseases, not except for skin cancer.

4. Wear Protective Clothing wear protective clothing

Don’t forget to protect your kin with sunglasses, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, a wide-brimmed hat when you are out. In fact, clothing helps protect skin from sun’s UV rays. The thicker the clothing is, and the tighter the weave is, the more protection from sun exposure is provided. Similarly, wide-brimmed hats can shade the neck and face from sun’s rays. If possible, avoid going out between 10 am to 4 pm as this is a time sun’s rays work strongest.

Plus, consider extra caution when you stay near snow, water and sand since they can reflect sun’s damaging rays. These factors, therefore, increase the risk of getting sunburn and skin cancer.

Don’t forget shading your neck, nose, ears, arms and legs as skin cancer can form from these areas. In addition, protect your lips with anti-UV lip balm with SPF 30+.

However, protective clothing just works as a SPF 7 so that you still have to apply sunscreen and repeat it each 90 minutes when going outdoors.

Simply, if you don’t wear protective clothing, stay under trees to create our own shade with an umbrella.

Notice that clouds may help you get rid of sunburn but can’t work to protect you against UV rays. According to reports, about 80% of sun’s ray penetrate light clouds, fog and mist and you may still get harmful rays on cloudy days.

5. Coffee Consumption

According to a recent study reported by scientists from Wayne State University, daily coffeeconsumption can aid in fending off skin cancer. Just with a cup of coffee daily, you can lower 30% of the development of melanoma later in life. Coffee can prevent skin cancer as an antioxidant in coffee works to fight off cancer cells.

6. Protect Eyes protect eyes

UV radiation from sun may damage eye cells and increase a high risk of cataracts. The radiation also contributes to the risk of skin cancer on the surface of eyes or on the eyelids. By wearing sunglasses, this damage will be prevented by 100% for both UVA and UVB sun rays. Besides, wearing a wide-brimmed hat can work the same in the face, neck and ear areas.

Read on: Eye Care Tips and Natural Cure For Dry Eyes

 7. Avoid Carcinogens

Carcinogens are found in cosmetics and tap water that can cause cancers, including skin cancer. To avoid carcinogens consumption, don’t buy products with ingredients like “-eth” or “PEG”. For water, don’t drink any water that includes chromium, arsenic and chemical byproducts. Carbon pitcher or filter can be a natural solution that can reduce these contaminants and protect you from skin cancer as well as your overall health.

Furthermore, cut down on grease- and stain-proofing chemicals to protect your skin health. Be careful to Fluorochemicals that are associated with Scotchgard and Teflon and used in most stain repellents on couches, carpets and grease-proof coatings for fast foods. These chemicals are dangerous and can cause a high risk of skin cancer. To prevent it, skip using greasy packaged foods and say “no” to stain treatments.

8. Apply Natural Sunscreens diy sunscreen recipe 1

Instead of using commercial sunscreen products, why don’t you make your own natural sunscreens with ease? Here are 2 sunscreen recipes for you to try:

DIY sunscreen recipe 1:

Prepare:

– 1/4 cup of coconut oil

– 20 drops of carrot seed oil

Mix these ingredients well and apply to your skin before 15 to 20 minutes going out.

DIY sunscreen recipe 2:

Prepare:

– 1/2 cup of carrier oil (almond and coconut can work well)

– 5 drops of myrrh oil

– 5 drops carrot seed oil

– 20 drops of lavender oil

Mix all these oils together well and apply on the skin to enhance healthier skin and prevent skin cancer naturally.

With these recipes or any other DIY sunscreen variation, you can protect your skin from over sun exposure. But, remember to test it out before using daily as this recipe does not work for you or fit your skin type. Both carrot and myrrh oils have natural and stronger SPF than other oils, so they can work to protect your skin against sun’s damaging rays. Depending on your skin tones, choose right ingredients to make your own sunscreens.

Discover: Benefits Of Peppermint Oil

9. Meet A Dermatologist meet a dermatologist

As you are not an expert in skin, so if you are not sure about your skin condition, meet a dermatologist to check your skin gradually.

In fact, as I mentioned above, you may have skin cancer even where and when the sun doesn’t shine. The human palilloma virus (HPV) is responsible for the cervical cancer and causes squamous cell carcinoma of genitals.

You really can get skin cancer where the sun doesn’t shine: The same human papillomavirus (HPV) that’s responsible for cervical cancer can cause squamous cell carcinoma of the genitals. When squamous cells develop, they have about 95% cure rate and those in genitals can be found later, thereby lower odds of survival. It is also found that non-melanoma cancers on genital area, though rarer than that on other body parts, still caused as many deaths. Normally, women are particularly vulnerable 3 times as many died of skin cancer. Remember to check your genitals and skin monthly. If any area looks suspicious, show your dermatologist.

III. Skin Cancer Prevention – Early Detection

Examine your freckles and moles gradually to check for any skin changes and skin problems. Meet a health care provider if you notice the following symptoms:

– Moles or discoloration appearing suddenly or changing

– A sore that can’t heal

– An area that is bumpy, red, itchy or bleed

The following are skin self-exam steps for you to practice at home:

Do it in front of a full length mirror to look at different skin areas on the body. A spouse and close friend may help you with your exams, especially for hard-to-see body areas like scalp or back.

Examine your skin carefully at the first time. Check for blemishes, moles, freckles and other marks on skin to notice any changes.

a. Face The Mirror face the mirror

Check your ears, face, neck, belly and chest. Women need to check their breasts and the skin underneath.

Check your underarms, both sides of armpits, the palms and tops of hands, between fingers and fingernails.

b. Sit Down

Check the front of shins, thighs, the tops of feet, between toes and toenails.

Then, use a small hand mirror to look at bottoms of feet, calves and the backs of thighs and check 2 legs in turn.

Next, check genital area, buttocks, upper and lower back, and the backs of ears and neck. In another way, you can look at the back in a wall mirror by using a small hand mirror.

Use a hair dryer or comb to part hair and check your scalp.

The best time to take the exams is after a bath every month. Check any spots, blemishes, birthmarks and moles from the top of head to toes. If you see your skin regularly, you may not worry about skin problems as well as skin cancer symptoms.

I’ve presented top skin cancer prevention tips, activities and early detection. It’s hoped that you found this article useful information and practice skin cancer prevention well. To get more writings about skin care and skin disease treatments, please visit Vkool Site and focus on the category Home Health.

For any feedback about this writing, feel free to show yours here at the end of this post. I also welcome your share and thank for your interest on it!

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